Threaded coupling



arch l3, 1:951 J. c. RICHARDSON 2,545,167-

THREADED COUPLING Filed March 5, 194% 'INVENTOR. James aPic'fiarcifio/q ATTORNEKS' Patented Mar. 13, 1951 J ames RichardsomWaterbury, Conn., assignor to The Brockway Company, Naugatuck, Gonna a corporation of Connecticut Application March 5,1947,, SerialNo. 732,486

This application relates to an improvement couplings for threadless ductile pipes, tubes, j

conduits and other hollow elongate tubular bodies (hereinafter called .pipe wherein a por" tion-of the pipe, usually at {the end thereof, clamped between parts, of the coupling toform a l'eaktight connection therewith.

.Couplings for, threadless ductile pipe of the" aforesaid type generally comprise a pair of coupling membershavin'g threaded engagement for bringing clamping surfaces on the same memb'ers, or on other c'ouplingparts associated therewith, into clamping relation with aportion of the.

pipeso as to form aleaktight connection. The

portion of the'pipe which is brought into such clamping relation is usually deformed as by provisionof a flare, flange, ridge or groove, affording a bearing surface on the pipe which is engaged by one of the threaded coupling members or, a part of the couplingpa'ssociated therewith.

In general, the clamping effect of the threaded members is produced by thrust applied against a tranverse bearing surface, 'or a wedge surface on other .parts of'the coupling or on the pipe" itself, such thrust being virtually instantaneously released upon initial retrograde threading operationof the coupling members; When such retrograde movement occurs, the coupling isno' longer positively held inleaktight condition by the; threaded members/and the connection is subjectto failure causing leakage, particularly when subjected to relativelyfhigh internal fluid pressure. When subjected .to .vibration during use, initial retrogradethreading of the coupling members is extremely likelyto occur'and when this occurs resistance to further loosening of the coupling is lost and the coupling fails. To overcome this difiiculty, various. means have been proposed,.such. as packingrings, lock nuts and the like usually adapted to apply resilient frictional force resisting. .relativerotation of the threaded members. However, such means requires the provision of additional parts in the coupling increasing the cost or effort required for manufacture and assembly thereof; Resilient packing materialsare. subject to deterioration in: use, and are generally limited in their-application by reason of the conditions of temperature and pressure, and/orby reason ofth'e. nature of. the fluids to which the coupling isexposed. It is an object of-thisinventionito"provide means for frictionally; restraining a-Jpair 1 of: threaded coupling membersfro n; relative rotation when they are threaded into pipe-clamping relation, said imeansbeing substantially uni;

thef'coupling comprises onlytwo members, one

formly operative over a substantial range'ofthreaded movement of the members, so as to" render the coupling highly resistant to loosening by vibration, and requiring no additional cou'-" pling parts but being incorporated in the construction of thethreaded members themselvesu In particular, it is an object of my invention to pro'vide'a simple coupling for flanged or flared threadless ductile pipe having only two coupling -members which, when threaded together into pipe-clamping engagement, loosening by vibration.

Thus, in accordance with my invention, the threaded members ofa coupling of the aforesaid type respectively include a pair of cylindrical surfaces, one surface being internal and the" other external, adapted to engage each other telescopically when the two members are threaded into pipe-clamping relation. The external cylindrical surface on one of the threaded" members is slightly oversized with respect to the corresponding internal cylindrical surface on the other member, so that telescopic engage-' ment thereof results in a force-fit. The material of the two members yields slightly to permit said surfaces --to engage each other and thereafter hold the members frictionally against relative rotation. Unlike wedge surfaces or tranverse clamping surfaces, the interengaging cylindrical surfaces resist unthreading operation of the two members substantially uniformly throughout a. substantialrange of threading operation, so that vibration is ineffective to'in'itiate or continue looseningof the'coupling. In the preferred embodiment of the invention,

effectively resist" ina'le and one female, having threaded engagement and adapted to clamp a flange or flare- (liereinafter called a flange) on the pipe be tween them. The male member has a cylindrical external surface, preferably at its forward end or -nose, e gtending outward from the "external threads thereon, while the female member has aicylindrical cavity or socket disposed inwardly of its internal threads, the cavity being slightly undersized with respect to the cylindricalnose on the male member. When the two members are, threaded together into clamping relation with the, flange on the pipe, the cylindrical nose. enters the cylindrical cavity in force-fit relation and thereafter the two members are frictionally held in flange-clamping relation. 'Z -In fo'rmingthe force-fit between the cylindri'cal portions. of the two members, the nose of the nialefmember may be slightly constricted.

Thus, when the pipe to be clamped passes through the male member, it is often desirable to construct the bore thereof within the nose of slightly larger diameter than the pipe, for example, by providing a gradual flare at the leading end thereof, so that constriction of the nose will not cause corresponding construction of the pipe.

To facilitate manufacture of such coupling members, it is preferable to make the cylindrical walled cavity at the inner end of the female member of the same diameter as the apices of the threads therein, so that the cavity of this member can be made by a single boring and threading operation. The nose of the male member, which is slightly oversized with respect to the inner end of said cavity, has a "diameter Slightly exceeding the root diameter of the ex ternal threads on the male member. Thus, in cutting the threads on the male member, the chasing tool 'or other instrument employed is advantageously allowed to run out over the cylindrical nose, cutting a shallow thread therein so that the nose can be readily threaded into the female member. The shaliow thread on the nose does not interfere with formation of a force-fit when the coup.ing is made up, but tends to form a tighter fit. i

My invention will be more fully. understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view in axial crosssection of a Coupling embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an axial cross-section of a connection made up with the coupling of Fig. 1;, M V

Fig. 3 is an exploded view in axial cross-section of a modified form of couplin Fig. 4 is a view partially in axial cross-section of the coupling of Fig. 3 assembled with a ductile threadless pipe; 7

Figs. 5 and 6 are views partially in axial crosssection of additional forms of couplings embodying my invention and assembled with ductile threadless pipe; 7 h h Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a nut employed in the coupling of Fig. l. v p V Referring to the drawings, the coupling illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted for usewith ductile pipe havingan upset double-walled radial flange on the end thereof, The coupling comprises a female member Ill, having means such asan internally threaded cavity II at its rear end for attachment to threaded-pipes, fittingsor other structures. Intermediate the ends of the member I!) an annular abutment I2 is provided forming a seat I3 at thebase of a cavity I4 opening at the opposite or front end of the coupling member. The cavity I l-has internal threads ,"I5 extending inward partway to the seat :I3 alt'i't's base, and a cylindrical wall I6, extending inward from the threads to the seat I3, and'adva'nta'geously of the same diameter as the apices of threads I5. The seat I3 advantageously slopes forwardly towards its inner periphery, forming a narrow angle with a tranverse plane of the coupling member, and joining the cylindrical wall I6 at a rounded corner H.

The other coupling member 1815 a male member having a wrench-engaging portion I9of hexagonal or other conventional shape at its rear end; external threads extending forwardly thereon part way to the leadingendfand adapted to engage the internal threads I5 in member I0; and a nose 2| having a cylindrical exterior surface of slightly oversized diameter "as compared 4 with the cylindrical wall I6 at the inner end of cavity I4 on the member ID. The diameter of the nose 2| thus slightly exceeds the root diameter of the threads 20 on member I8, and to permit the nose 2I to enter the threaded portion of the female coupling member, the root portion of threads 20 arecontinued over the nose 2 I, forming a shallow thread 22 'in its cylindrical surface.

A bore 23 extends through the member I8 for slidably receiving the pipe to be clamped in the coupling; and advantageously, a gradually flared portion 24 is formed at the leading end of the bore 23 within the nose portion 2 I, to compensate for constriction of the nose 2I when the latter enters the cylindrical portion I6 of the cavity I4.

,7 The front end surface 25 of the male member I8 is preferably flat, thus diverging slightly in radial direction from the seat I3 at the base of cavity I4 when the members are assembled.

If the coupling member I8 is of relatively rigid material, such as bronze or steel, constriction of nose 2| on entering cylindrical cavity I 6 on the female member II) can be facilitated by providing one or morelongitudinal slots 26 in the nose 21 as shown in Fig. 7. Howevenwhen member I8 is of relatively soft metal, such as brass or copper, slots 26 are not required.

In order to make up a connection with the thereof, the hat end surface 25 of the member 18 facing the rear side of the fiange 2B. The flange 28 isof suitable diaffieti for entering the cylirr- P drical portion T6 of the cavityM 'on member ID.

The male member I8 isthen threaded into cavity I4 of member 'I 0, flange 28 entering the cylindrical portion [6 thereof. Further threading operation of member I8 o'n member-m forces the slightly oversized cylindrical nose 2'I to enter the cylindrical walledportion l6 of the cavity I4 in forcefit relaticn. When the nose 2] is constricted by entering the undersizedfcylindr' icalportion I6 of cavity I4, "the 'walls of the flared portion 24 of bore were brought substantially int'o alignment. with the rest bf the bore, so that no substantial constriction of the 'p'i'peZ'I occurs at the base 0'1?v flange 28. I

, Finally, the leading and surface zs clamps the flange 28 tightly against seat l'3 in leaktight'relation, the metal of the flange being entrapped by the divergence [in radial direction or surface 25 and seat I3. A leakti'gh't jointv is thus formed between the'pipe'and th'e seat.

Preferably, a iilifnbe'r ofturhso'f'n'iember I8o'n operation after the nose 2'1 enters the cylindrical portion I6 ortne'eavity I4; Tl'i'e'cylindrical wall.

I6 thus "engages nose 2] frictionally through a substantial range of thefinal threading operation of the two coupling members, so that they are forcibly "restrained against retrograde "threading through'a corresponding distance, effectively 'pre venting the loosening of the connection by vibration, and reliably'maintaining the leakti'ghtconnection between the-pipe and the member ID. V In the coupling shown in Figs. '3 and 4, the two coupling members are inverted as compared with the couplingshown in Figs. 1, 2-'-and'-'I. The female coupling member encircles the pi'p'e be hind the flange thereonand the male member engages the front'sur'face of the'flange. Thus, fem-ale member -fll is a hollow nut hav-" ing acavity 'or a diameter"adapted to-re'ceive' the flange on tHe 'end of'the pipe tobe connected thereby, said cavity having internal threads 32 extending part way inward" from its outer end,

A central aperture 35 at the rear of the nut con-- forms substantially to the outside diameter of the pipe and encircles the same at the base of the flange. f

The male coupling member 36, as illustrated, is in the remote standard S. A. E. fitting, having a passage 31 extending therethrough to communicate with the pipe; a central nut portion 38 for engaging-a wrench, and a threaded 'rear portion 39 for securing the fitting in a correspondingly threaded orifice of another structure.

External threads 48 are provided on the opposite or front end portion, extending part way to the leading end thereof, and a nose portion 4| is provided having a cylindrical external surface.

The leading end surface 42 of coupling member 36 is advantageously formed by a shallow annular cavity, as shown, diverging rearwardly adjacent the passage 31 and having a re-emergent peripheral rim 43. The end surface 42 is adapted to engage the front side of a flange on the end of a pipe,"'and by reason of the divergence of the end surface from shoulder 34 in the nut 30, entraps the material of the flange and forces it radially outward between the two surfaces.

The cylindrical wall 33 of the cavity 3| in the nut is preferably of the same diameter as the apices of threads 32 therein, so that the cavity 3| can be formed by a single boring operation, and the threads 32 then cut in the bore. The cylindrical nose 4| on the member 38 is slightly overslzed in diameter as compared with the c'y1- lindrical cavity 33, and is accordingly of slightly greater diameter than the root diameter of the threads 48. In order to permit the nose 4l to be threaded into cavity 3|, the root portion of threads 40 is continued outward to the end of the nose 4|, forming shallow threads 44 there- To make up a connection with the coupling of Figs. 3 and 4, the nut 38 is placed on pipe 21a behind an upset double-walled flange 28a ontl re end of the pipe and threaded on to the end of fitting 36. As the cylindrical nose 4| enters ,the cylindrical walled portion 33 of the cavity 3|, a force-fit is formed offering frictional resistance to relative rotation of the coupling members. Finally, flange 28a is clamped between the end surface 42 on the member 36 and the shoulder 34 at the base of the cavity in nut 30. The forceflt of cylindrical nose 4| in the cylindrical portion 33 of cavity 3| effectively resists unthreading of the coupling when subjected to vibration.

In the modified form of coupling shown in Fig. 5, the coupling members are adapted to receive and clamp a ductile pipe 45, having a conical flare 46 on the end thereof, in leaktight relation with a fitting 41. The latter has external threads 48, a cylindrical nose 49 and a conical flare-engaging surface 50 at the leading end thereof. The nose 49 is of slightly greater diameter than the root diameter of threads 48, and the latter extend to the end of the nose 49, forming a shallow thread 5| upon the surface thereof. Otherwise, the fitting is similar in construction to the member 36 shown in Fig. 3.

The female coupling member or nut 52 has a cavity therein with threads 53 extending part i way inward to engage the external threads 48 on the body 41; a cylindrical inner portion 54, slightly undersized in diameter with respect to the nose 49, and having, for example, a diameter equal to that of apices of the threads 53, said cavity terminating at a conical flare-engaging surface 55; and an aperture 56 for slidably receiving the pipe 45.

When the coupling members are threaded together so as to clamp flange 46 between surfaces'5ll and 55, the oversized nose 49 enters cylindrical portion 54 of the cavity in the nut in force-fit relation for a substantial part of the threading operation required to clamp the flange. Accordingly, the resulting frictional resistance to relative rotation of the coupling members prevents retrograde threading thereof to. loosen the connection, particularly when subjected to vibration.

The modification shown in Fig. 6 is likewise constructed for use with a pipe 45a having a conical flange 46a on the end thereof. In this form of coupling, the male member 51 encircles the pipe behind the flange While the female member 58 engages the front of the flange. Thus, the member 51 has a nut portion 59 at its rear end, external threads 60 extending part way to the leading end thereof, and a cylindrical nose portion 6| of slightly greater diameter than the root diameter of the threads 60. At its leading end, it comprises a reentrant conical clamping surface 62 for engaging the rear of the flange 46a. The root portion of threads 60 extends to the end of the nose 6| forming shallow threads 63 therein as shown.

The female member 58 comprises, for example, a nut portion 64, a passage 65 terminating at a flare-engaging conical projection 66 at the base of the cavity 61, the latter having an outer threaded portion 68, and an inner cylindrical portion 69 extending to the base of the flare-engaging projection 66. The cylindrical portion 69 of the cavity is slightly undersized in diameter with respect to the nose 6| on the member 51, having for example, a diameter equal to that of the apices of the threads 68.

Operation of the coupling is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The member 51 is placed on pipe 45a behind flange 46a and is threaded into the cavity of female member 58. When the flange 46a is clamped between surfaces 62 and 66 on the two members respectively, cylindrical nose 6| has entered the cylindrical portion 69 of the cavity of member 58 in force-fit relation and is retrained therein frictionally against retrograde threading. The resulting connection is therefore reliably held against loosening by vibration.

Variations can be made in the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of my invention. Thus, additional coupling parts for clamping or gripping the pipe or the flange, can be interposed between one or both of the coupling members and the pipe or flange. However, in each case, the threaded coupling members include a pair of cylindricalsurfaces which engage each other in force-fit relation to resist loosening of the connection when they are brought into pipe-clamping relation.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

In a coupling for threadless ductile pipe, a pair of coupling members comprising a male member having an externally threaded portion and a female member having an internally threaded P rties, saidi membeiie h Min h eaded neaeee merit and beineoperative up n rela ve tl' it cn iv in one. direction to; clamp. a) por on a thr ad-- less pipe inleak tight engagement between them, an internal. eylinl lt e l suriaoeon, a d; l cou ling member, and, an external cylindrical surface on said male coupling member-, said; ex ternal surface extending from. the t ieaideds p.01- tion to. the nose of said mailemember and bein slightly oversized in diameter with ltespect; to the: 1G.

root diameter of said threads, and the root.- portion of said threads extending: outwardto, the end of said nose and, being: adapted to; be forced? telescopically into said internal surface in. forcefit relation therewith through a substantial. range;

of threading: movement when said coupling mem.

hers.- are threaded -inte. clamp ng relation wi h: thet REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Name Date Number Barker V.: Mari L, 19277 w- 1,888,338," Weatherhead V Nov. 22, 1932 

